A heart lesion refers to any abnormal change or damage to the heart’s tissues. This broad term encompasses various irregularities, from scars to growths, that can affect the heart’s structure and function. Lesions can differ significantly in their physical characteristics, ranging from a small, subtle scar to a more pronounced growth or an area of inflammation. Their specific nature depends heavily on the underlying cause. Understanding heart lesions involves recognizing that they are not a disease in themselves but rather a manifestation of an underlying condition impacting the heart.
What Are Heart Lesions?
These anatomical changes can appear in various parts of the heart, including the muscle walls (myocardium), the inner lining (endocardium), the outer sac (pericardium), or on the heart valves. Lesions can also impact the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. For instance, a lesion might be a fibrous tissue formation in the myocardium, indicating previous injury.
Common Causes of Heart Lesions
One frequent cause is coronary artery disease (CAD), where fatty deposits called plaques build up in the coronary arteries, narrowing them and restricting blood flow to the heart muscle. This plaque buildup, known as atherosclerosis, can harden and calcify over time, making arteries stiff and more prone to heart attacks.
Infections are another source of heart lesions. For example, endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining or valves, can lead to the formation of vegetations—abnormal growths of bacteria and blood components. Congenital heart defects, structural abnormalities present at birth, can also manifest as lesions, such as holes in the walls dividing heart chambers or narrowed blood vessels like coarctation of the aorta. Inflammatory conditions like myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, can also cause tissue damage.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms associated with a heart lesion depend on its size, location, and the underlying condition causing it. People with heart lesions may experience a variety of symptoms, reflecting the heart’s impaired ability to pump blood effectively. Common indicators include chest pain, which can feel like pressure, squeezing, or tightness, sometimes spreading to the arms, neck, jaw, or back.
Shortness of breath, particularly during activity or at rest, is another frequent symptom, resulting from the heart’s reduced pumping efficiency. Fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, and palpitations (a racing or fluttering heartbeat) can also occur. Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet may indicate fluid retention due to the heart’s diminished ability to circulate blood.
Diagnosis and Management
Diagnosing heart lesions involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and various diagnostic tests. Imaging techniques play a significant role in visualizing the heart’s structure and function. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images of the heart, showing blood flow and potential valve issues.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans offer detailed views of heart tissue and blood vessels, helping identify damaged areas or growths. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records the heart’s electrical activity, detecting abnormal rhythms or signs of past heart damage. Blood tests can also provide insights into inflammation markers, cholesterol levels, or signs of heart muscle damage.
Management of heart lesions is individualized, depending on the specific cause, the lesion’s severity, and the patient’s overall health. Treatment options can range from medications to control symptoms or address underlying conditions, such as drugs for high blood pressure or cholesterol. Lifestyle changes, including dietary adjustments, regular exercise, and smoking cessation, are often recommended to support heart health and prevent further progression. In some cases, interventional procedures like angioplasty or stent placement may be used to open blocked arteries, or surgery might be necessary to repair structural defects or remove growths.